Workers at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings on Thursday ratified a contract that cuts wages and costs, ending an 87-day-strike with a vote by the auto supplier's main Detroit plant to back the deal.

United Auto Workers officials Sunday urged American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings workers to ratify a contract that would cut wages by almost 40 percent, shutter three plants and end a three-month-old strike with a subsidy of $218 million from General Motors.

General Motors posted better-than-expected results on strong overseas sales, despite a costly supplier strike, waning demand for its most profitable vehicles and charges related to struggling former subsidiaries.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings and the United Auto Workers have made progress in talks aimed at ending a seven-week strike at five U.S. plants, but talk of a tentative agreement remains premature, a company spokeswoman said Thursday.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings said Wednesday it plans to return to the bargaining table with striking workers, signaling movement in a strike that has shuttered plants and cut vehicle production at General Motors.

Usually, when the United Auto Workers strike it's pretty big news. Usually, when the picket lines form, Detroit gets nervous. Usually, when the rhetoric heats up, so do the heart rates of executives running the Big 3. Not this time.

GM’s good fortune should trickle down to this auto-parts company, which gets 80% of its sales from the Detroit carmaker.Investing can be confusing. Luckily, Cramer has mapped out some road rules for all you Home Gamers trying to navigate the jungle that is Wall Street. Think of it as "Mad Money 101" –- some fundamental advice to keep in mind as you play the market. Whether you're a first time investor or a seasoned financier, it's always good to remember the basics.

Wow--actor Ernie Hudson pulled out all the stops (thus his picture gets listed) and jumped from 4th into 2nd place in Trading With The Stars. This continues his momentous climb as he had previously moved from 8th to 4th. So Ernie is definitely on a roll or donut -or just plain getting some great advice. Ernie knocks fellow actor Stephen Collins into 4th place behind James Cromwell, while Jonathan Tucker keeps a hold on 1st place. And Johnny Bench might take a few lessons from Ernie. The Hall of Fame catcher keeps 10th place very warm!

Why are earnings so important? Well, this CNBC-TV news report today from Bob O'Brien shows what they can do. Bob focused on Goodyear, which admittedly is not a contest stock that might put you over the top, but with their earnings report out, the stock saw a 6.345 rise at one point today.